A/N: As always – Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Naruto, manga-wise or anime-wise. All belongs to some other rich corporation… Damn. Still wish I owned Kakashi, though… and Itachi while we're at it.

Someone Who Acknowledges Me

Naruto's slowly fluttered shut as he saw Hinata's fist fly towards his face. "What have I done to you, my precious Hinata-chan?" he quietly thought in his last moments. She was once so delicate, so peaceful, so kind. Now she was full of rage, and it was all his doing.

He felt his life flash before his eyes as her blue aura came towards him.

---

Naruto, a lonely five-year-old boy, sat on the swing set away from the rest of the village. He'd just been thrown out of a store for who knows what reason, and now he was trying his best not to cry. Why did everyone treat him so differently? What had he ever done to them?

Suddenly, his head jerked up as he heard a little cry of help. He looked and spotted a girl about his age with short black hair and an orange kimono. She looked scared as she ran around aimlessly. Naruto winced as she tripped over her long dress and crashed into the ground. The little girl started to sob. Forgetting his own sadness, Naruto quickly ran over to her.

"You ok?" he asked.

The little girl kept crying, but as she saw Naruto, she pulled her dress over her head. "I've never been on the outside before. Please… please help me get home…" she whispered from underneath folds of cloth.

Naruto asked, "Where do you live?"

"I… I don't know…" the little girl sobbed.

Naruto frowned. This wasn't going to be so easy. "What's your name?"

"H-Hyuuga Hinata."

"Hm… I think I've seen people like you before, people with big, pretty purple eyes."

Hinata blushed, peeking her head out from under her dress. "You think my eyes are pretty?"

Naruto nodded vigorously. "Uh-huh! I think I know where you live!" He grabbed her hand and started running through the streets. They dashed through the alleys of Konoha, avoiding the stares of curious adults who would otherwise ask, "What is a prestigious young girl doing with that monster?" until finally they came to the Hyuuga compound.

"You brought me all the way home!" Hinata gasped. "You… you… you're amazing!" she stuttered.

Naruto blushed. "Um… do you wanna play sometime?" he started to ask.

Hinata nodded. "What's your name?"

"Uzamaki Naruto."

Hinata studied Naruto and finally came to a conclusion. "You kind of look like the fourth Hokage… you know that?"

Naruto frowned again. "Who's that?"

Hinata gasped. "He's the most famous person in all of Konoha!"

A little light bulb turned on in Naruto's head. "People all acknowledge and respect him? Then I'm going to be a Ho-whatchamacallit when I grow up!" he said excitedly when Hizashi came from the house.

"Hinata! Where have you been? We've been looking for you all this time!" he said angrily. He took her by the hand when he spotted Naruto. The young boy smiled, but the face quickly faltered when Hizashi looked on with a stern face. "Hinata, I never want you to speak to this boy again, understood?"

"But father, he saved me"-

"I said no." Hinata fell silent. Naruto whimpered and ran from the compound.

…

Naruto returned to watch the rest of the Chuunin exam with Kakashi-sensei and Sakura after his battle with Kiba. It had been a hard match, but he had emerged victorious. He still carried many of the wounds from Kiba and Akamaru's horrible strikes, but luckily, Hinata's ointment seemed to be helping a lot.

"Sakura-chan, you should really try this ointment!" he said excitedly as he wounds quickly faded.

Sakura backed away in shock, while Kakashi only shook his head knowingly. "Only a guy like you will heal like that, Naruto," the older shinobi noted quietly.

Sakura looked at the little container of ointment and pondered. "You know, Hinata always seems to be watching you," she said quietly, as if piecing something together.

Naruto felt his heartbeat quicken a little. He hardly knew Hinata, but to know that someone was actually rooting for him instead of despising him for the Kyuubi made him feel warm inside.

And so when Neji taunted Hinata, it was Naruto's turn to cheer for his friend. "Don't listen to that guy, Hinata!" he insisted. He felt a rage deep in his heart as he watched Neji mentally torture Hinata. The two of them could not be more opposite, but Naruto felt Hinata's pain as the older Hyuuga destroyed her self-esteem with every word.

"Fight with everything you've got. Believe in yourself, Hinata!" he cried from the platform.

But it was inevitable that she would lose. She had no chance against the cold-hearted warrior, who had honed his skills since the day he lost his father.

So in her name, Naruto declared that he would defeat Neji.

…

It was a quiet day in Konoha. Naruto, now fifteen, was sitting on the swing set of the ninja academy as he always did when he was lonely. However, he was not alone.

His temple throbbed ever so slightly. "Konohamaru, get out of the tree," he muttered testily.

A young boy with a cape and goggles fell from the top branch. He quickly stood up, pointed at Naruto and declared, "That's just what I expected from the man I admire." Even though he was a full two years older than when he had first met Naruto, he never stopped following his idol. Naruto didn't mind. Except for today.

"Let's play, sempai!" Konohamaru begged.

Usually, Naruto would lead his young friend on a crazy adventure that would land them (or rather, just him) in a great deal of trouble. "Um… not today, Konohamaru. Why don't you go play with Moegi and Udon?" he suggested.

Konohamaru made a face. "No way. Lately, Moegi's been all, 'Let's play house, Konohamaru-chan!' or 'I don't want to do that; I'll break a nail!' But maybe I can convince Udon to help me play a prank on…"

Naruto didn't hear the rest of Konohamaru's plans. His mind slowly drifted back through the years, as he reminisced on all that he had accomplished, but also on all he still had to learn and all those who still refused to acknowledge him.

"Hey, Naruto? What's wrong?" the younger boy asked. "Does it have anything to do with that weird girl who's watching you?"

"Nani?" Naruto muttered. He looked toward the direction that Konohamaru pointed and spotted a bit of black hair and a violet eye peak from behind the academy. "Hinata?"

"Isn't that the daughter of the head of the Hyuuga family?"

Naruto stood. "Konohamaru, why don't you go find Udon? I promise, I'll play with you another time. We can go harass Ebisu-sensei with sexy-no-jutsu." The two laughed, and Konohamaru quickly ran off to find his math-loving friend.

As he watched Konohamaru leave, Naruto smiled. He soon frowned though when he remembered Hinata. Ever since she collapsed during the Chuunin exam, she had been rather reluctant to remain in his presence for long periods of time, and she often found excuses to flee rather quickly. He always considered her to be rather nice, but was she becoming like the rest of the village? Was she starting to scorn him, too?

Hinata froze. Naruto had gotten up, and now he was starting to walk toward her. "Uh… uh… hello, Naruto-kun," she hastily greeted.

Naruto felt his face grow a little red. She was stuttering again. Why was she so scared of him? Weren't they friends? No, he thought. No one wanted to be friends with a monster. "When normal people are disgusted, they tend to avoid the monster, Hinata. Besides, it's kind of rude to stare," he snapped. He was in a particularly foul mood today, and he wasn't scared to share it.

Hinata gasped and bowed her head. He thought that she was disgusted by him! "No. No! It's… it's not like that. I ad…adm…" She quickly slapped a hand over a mouth. She couldn't possibly say that to him.

"Nani?" Naruto observed as Hinata's face slowly turned deep crimson.

"It's because I'm jealous of you," she quickly lied. Naruto's eyebrow raised slightly. "It's just… you're so talented. I'm pathetic and weak and I can never do anything and I…"

Naruto's eyes narrowed. "She's really weird…" he thought to himself. "Hinata, stop that," he commanded immediately. "You're not as weak as you say you are. You're actually pretty strong, and you use your Byakugan really well."

Hinata could feel her heart beat through her chest as Naruto chided her. "I should degrade myself more often…"

"You know… if you're really that self-conscious… you ought to get a teacher or something…" Naruto suggested. "I could help you if you really wanted."

Her heart skipped a beat. "Oh… only if you didn't mind, Naruto-kun."

…

"You need some practice with your footwork…" Naruto observed.

Hinata sighed. "Tell me something I don't know…" she mumbled under her breath. She tilted her head and looked down at the ground, where her sensei now sat cross-legged and in deep thought. "Ah… Naruto-kun? What are you doing?"

Suddenly, Naruto jumped up right before Hinata. "I got an idea!" he shouted excitedly. "That old pervert hermit tried this on me once. Now that I think about it, he probably had other things in mind, but it should work," he decided. "Hinata, have you ever danced before?"

Hinata was very taken aback. "I… I…" Before she could answer, Naruto grabbed Hinata by the shoulders and attempted to waltz with her, so it seemed. "Naruto, this is very…"

Oblivious to Hinata's complaints, Naruto continued. "I figured that this would help you with your footwork. Jiraiya said something like waltzing is just like fighting in that you have to learn to react to your partner."

"Oh… I… I see," Hinata replied, feeling her cheeks go hot.

"Hmm? Hinata, you're being too tense," Naruto scolded. "Relax, I won't yell at you for messing up." Hinata complied to the best of her abilities. After a moment, Naruto noticed a calming scent in the air, like mint and lavender. Finally, he realized it was Hinata's hair. It was his turn to tense.

"Naruto-kun, is something the matter?" Hinata asked. Her voice seemed airy and melodious.

"It's- it's nothing, Hinata. You're doing better."

"Oh… arigatou…"

They danced in silence.

"Doesn't this make you dizzy, Naruto-kun?" Hinata ventured to ask.

Naruto thought about it, wondering if he had heard a hint of laughter in Hinata's voice. Then something occurred to him – Hinata had just made a joke. He looked at her and saw a warm smile. "A little," he laughed in return. His body began to relax a little, when suddenly a large rumbling sound came from his stomach.

Hinata pulled back, clamping her hands to her mouth as she gasped. "Are you ok, Naruto-kun? Did I do something wrong!" she asked frantically, her face turning beet red.

Naruto could only laugh at the girl's distress. He never noticed how… well… cute she could be. "No, no, I'm just hungry. You hungry? Let's get some ramen!" he suggested excitedly. He put out a hand for her to take. Hinata grasped it hesitantly, but firmly. Without warning, he ran towards the ramen stand with her hand in his.

…

"What do you mean she's not coming?" Naruto asked Neji.

"Her father has expressly forbidden it," Neji said solemnly. "I suggest you listen, Uzamaki-kohai, unless you want trouble for both you and Hinata-nee."

Naruto was never one to listen to senseless orders. He quickly snuck into the Hyuuga compound and searched for Hinata's room. When he came upon it, he tossed a few rocks at the window to get her attention. "Psst! Hey! Hinata!" he whispered. The girl's head soon came into view.

"Naruto! What are you doing here? You could get into serious trouble if anyone finds you!" she warned him.

He shook his head. "Open the window!" After a moment's hesitation, Hinata complied, and Naruto jumped through the opening. Looking around the room, he let out a low whistle. Hinata had a very posh room with all the latest decorum. So this was how Konoha's most prestigious families lived.

Hinata was becoming worried and impatient. "Uzamaki Naruto, tell me what you are doing here," she demanded in her most commanding voice (which isn't saying much).

Naruto turned to her and looked at her with soft eyes. Confused and lightly blushing, her feet turning ever-so-slightly inward, she was staring at him with the same anxious look. Was she scared of him? Or was it something he had never realized until now? "Sakura said something to me the other day, and she was… well… Why is it that you are always watching me and paying attention to me?" he asked gently.

Hinata's eyes widened and her cheeks flushed. "No… I… that is…" she stuttered uncontrollably. "She was mistaken, Naruto-kun." Immediately, she wished that she had spoken, for the look of pain on his face hurt her worse than anything she had ever encountered until this point.

"I see," he mumbled. "I'll be going now, then."

As he turned to leave, Hinata felt something straining to jump from her throat. Her voice cracked as she quickly said, "Wait, Naruto." She snatched his arm with both her hands. He looked at her in the same confused, anxious manner she always gave him. "I… I… adm-m-ire you," she finally managed to tell him. Her head immediately dropped to avoid looking directly into his eyes. She felt her cheeks turn bright red as all her muscles tensed.

Naruto felt his heartbeat quicken. After all these years, that someone who genuinely acknowledged him had been standing in front of him all this time. Hinata, of all people. Someone he genuinely cared for as well. Someone he may have even…

He put a finger beneath her chin and lifted it so they were gazing directly into each other's eyes. "You have really pretty purple eyes."

Hinata's heart skipped a beat. Before she could say anything, Naruto swooped down, and his lips embraced hers. Her heart beat so fast and loud she feared it would break through her chest or wake her from a pleasant dream. But as the moment carried on, she knew that it was real, and she was inexplicably delighted.

A knock came at the door. "Hinata? Your mother wants you in the study!"

"Will I see you tomorrow?" Naruto whispered hurriedly.

Hinata was still too dazed to know up from down. "I'll try," she answered eventually.

He grinned and jumped out the window, leaving Hinata to her euphoria. Naruto was ecstatic. As he leapt from tree to tree and back into the village streets, he felt lighter than air. Nothing could bring him down at this moment. Nothing.

…

"In six months time, I'll be leaving Konoha for five years," Hinata announced somberly. Neji stood behind her, as if he were supporting her spirit.

Naruto's heart dropped like a rock. He swore he could even hear it make a splash in his stomach. "Hinata… why?"

"The next head of the Hyuuga family must leave for the sacred training ground. It's a tradition passed down by my family… I'm sorry, Naruto-kun." Her eyes were welling with tears, and she fled from him before he could say a word.

Naruto tried to follow, but Neji stood before him. "Do not hurt her anymore. I warned you once before not to get involved for her safety and yours. Now I am warning you again. This is her destiny. I suggest you let at least one follow tradition."

For once, the blonde nin complied. But how could he just let her go? Unfortunately, in six months, he did let go. He found companionship in others, but it was never enough to fill the void. That is, until Sakura came. Was this not the fulfillment of a childhood dream? Were the Fates handing him a gift for once?

When Hinata returned, Naruto, now 22, was at a crossroads. He had to tell her the truth, even if it hurt her.

"I will tell her tonight."

---

Naruto lied on the cold floor as the blue aura came flying at him. "Hinata-chan… I'm so sorry…"

Hinata's eyes narrowed. Suddenly, her voice deepened. "I warned you once not to come near Nee-chan and let her fulfill her destiny. Consider this punishment, Uzamaki Naruto."

Naruto's eyes snapped open. Hearing the truth, he gathered just enough strength to flip to the side. "Nani?"

A/N: Just who is this Hinata-imposter, and what does he want with Naruto? Find out in the fourth and final chapter of this strange, twisted saga!

A lot longer than I initially meant to be... ah well. Hope you enjoyed it!